Brighten Your Meals with Refreshing Fennel & Orange Salad
There’s something truly magical about a salad that just screams “freshness.” You know, the kind that wakes up your taste buds? I adore those simple dishes. They make any meal feel special. My grandmother always made meals feel special. Her kitchen was full of love. It still smells like her cooking sometimes. This Fennel & Orange Salad is like that. It brings sunshine to your plate. It’s incredibly easy to make. You’ll love how it brightens up your day. It’s a perfect example of our cooking philosophy.
Why You’ll Love This Fennel & Orange Salad
This salad is a winner for so many reasons. It’s:
- Wonderfully refreshing.
- Super simple to prepare.
- Packed with healthy goodness.
- Visually stunning.
- Perfect for any occasion.
It’s a go-to for me on busy weeknights. It’s also great for gatherings. It always gets rave reviews!
Meet the Author & Our Kitchen Philosophy
I’m Alara Kohn, and I love sharing simple, joyful cooking. At 911Recipes, we believe food should be delicious and easy. Our family kitchen is our happy place. We learned from our grandmother. She taught us love makes the best ingredient. This Fennel & Orange Salad fits that perfectly. It’s easy, healthy, and full of flavor. It’s made with simple ingredients.
Fennel & Orange Salad: A Taste of Sunshine
Imagine crisp, cool fennel. Think sweet, juicy orange segments. This fennel and orange salad is a burst of flavor. The slight licorice note of fennel is amazing. It pairs beautifully with bright citrus. Red onion adds a tiny bit of bite. Fresh parsley brings vibrant color. This citrus salad is a healthy salad. It’s light and satisfying. The dressing is simple. Olive oil and lemon juice tie it all together. It tastes like pure sunshine on a plate. It’s truly a delightful experience.
Essential Ingredients for Your Fennel & Orange Salad
Gathering your ingredients is the first step. It’s like setting the stage for magic. For this delightful Fennel & Orange Salad, you’ll need:
- 1 large fennel bulb. We want it sliced very thinly.
- 2 juicy oranges. Peel them. Then segment them carefully.
- 1/4 cup red onion. Slice it super thin too.
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley. Give it a good chop.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil. Use a good quality one.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Freshly squeezed is best!
- Salt and pepper. Just to taste, of course.
These simple items create something wonderful. Make sure your fennel is firm. Oranges should be sweet. This makes all the difference.
Ingredient Notes and Smart Substitutions
Choosing the right ingredients makes this salad shine. For the oranges, navel or cara cara work great. They are sweet and easy to segment. If you don’t have red onion, a shallot is a nice alternative. It’s a bit milder. Don’t have fresh parsley? Chives or even cilantro can work in a pinch. If you’re not a fan of fennel’s slight anise flavor, you can try thinly sliced cucumber for crunch. Or maybe some crisp celery. This salad is forgiving!
Simple Steps to Prepare Your Fennel & Orange Salad
Making this vibrant salad is a breeze. It really only takes about 15 minutes. First, grab a big bowl. We’ll combine our main ingredients here. Add your thinly sliced fennel bulb. Next, tuck in the orange segments. Make sure they’re juicy and bright. Toss in that thinly sliced red onion. This is where the magic starts to happen.
Now, let’s make the dressing. Get a small bowl. Whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice. A good quality olive oil makes a difference. Fresh lemon juice adds the best zing! Pour this lovely dressing over everything in the big bowl. Add your chopped fresh parsley. It brings such a lovely freshness. Season it all with salt and pepper. Just a pinch of each will do.
Gently toss everything together. We want to coat all the ingredients. Don’t overmix. We want to keep those beautiful orange segments intact. Serve this delightful Fennel & Orange Salad right away. It’s best when it’s fresh. Enjoy this taste of sunshine!
Tips for Perfect Fennel & Orange Salad Success
Slice your fennel as thinly as possible. A mandoline can help if you have one. It gives a delicate crunch. For the dressing, whisk it well. This helps the oil and lemon juice combine. It creates a nice emulsified dressing. This helps coat everything evenly. If you’re making this ahead, keep the dressing separate. Toss it just before serving. This keeps the fennel crisp. It prevents the salad from getting soggy. It’s a simple trick.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fennel & Orange Salad
Got questions about this delightful dish? I’m happy to help!
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
You can prep the components ahead. Slice the fennel and onion. Segment the oranges. Store them separately. Keep the dressing separate too. Toss it all together just before serving. This keeps everything crisp and refreshing. It’s a great tip for entertaining!
What kind of oranges work best?
Navel oranges are fantastic for this salad. They are seedless and sweet. Cara Cara oranges are also wonderful. They have a lovely pink hue. Any sweet, juicy orange will work well though. This makes it a truly versatile citrus salad.
Is this a healthy salad?
Absolutely! Fennel is packed with nutrients. Oranges provide Vitamin C. Olive oil offers healthy fats. It’s a light and nourishing option. It’s a perfect addition to a healthy meal plan. It’s an easy salad recipe you can feel good about.
Can I add other ingredients?
Yes! Toasted nuts like almonds or walnuts add a lovely crunch. A sprinkle of feta cheese is also delicious. Some people love adding avocado. Feel free to customize it to your liking!
Serving and Storing Your Fennel & Orange Salad
This beautiful Fennel & Orange Salad is best served immediately. It’s when the fennel is crispest. And the oranges are their juiciest. I love to serve it as a bright starter. It’s also a fantastic side dish. It goes wonderfully with grilled fish. Or roasted chicken. It really lifts any meal.
If you have leftovers, don’t worry. Store them in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator. It should last for about a day. The flavors will meld even more. Just know the fennel might soften a bit. Give it a gentle stir before enjoying. Since it’s a no-cook salad, there’s no reheating needed. Just fresh, delicious flavor.
Estimated Nutritional Information
When I create recipes, I love to give you an idea of what you’re eating. This Fennel & Orange Salad is wonderfully light. It’s packed with fresh flavors. Here’s a general estimate of the nutritional breakdown per serving. Please remember these are approximate values.
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
This salad is a great way to get vitamins and fiber. It’s a healthy choice for any meal. Enjoy this refreshing dish!
Print
Radiant Fennel & Orange Salad: 15-Min Delight
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Brighten your meals with this refreshing Fennel & Orange Salad. It’s a simple, vibrant dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 2 oranges, peeled and segmented
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced fennel bulb, orange segments, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Add the chopped parsley.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a crunchier texture, add toasted almonds or walnuts.
- A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a touch of heat.
- You can substitute grapefruit for oranges for a different citrus flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
